Richard Manning

"Against the Grain: How Agriculture Has Hijacked Civilization" provides a historical outline of the socio-economic effects that agriculture has had on civilization, from the hunter-gatherer society to commercial industrial commodities agriculture. The book is a combination of documented history, anecdotes and the author's personal observations, written in a clear and easily understood style. I found this book rather interesting, especially the details on grain growing and hybridization, and how grain for food eventually became grain for "stuff" (aka commodities).

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I wasn't sure what I would get with this book when I picked it up. I figured it would probably tie in with the paleo kick that has been around for some time now. I was actually surprised I liked the ideas they laid out here. Essentially these two researched and developed a way to get back into what humans through the millennium did and thrived on. Today with our lifestyle so geared to artificiality and sedentary ways we have strayed far from the course with resultant consequences. They cover four principles that can lead us back to discovery and benefit from our healthy roots, and it does make sense. Easy written style made the book also entertaining as well as interesting.… (meer)